Post New Hats Here!

[steur]

Okay, just got this Borsalino homburg today. It’s my first Italian, or foreign hat. Never been near one either, so my only impression comes from this one lid.
From the onion skin tip and sweat blocker I suppose I can assume it’s from the late forties, early fifties, if they used the product over there the same years we were.
The felt is ultra supple, thin and feather light. One question is, were they strictly using hare or rabbit fur during this time period? Probably so, which would explain the felts wispy lightness. It still holds any crease very well. Impressive. As far as the hat’s components go, I’d say it’s no better or worse than any other hat I’ve owned from this era. The crown is relatively short on this hat, 4 1/8 at the front crease.
The seller said the hat measured Eight by six and a 1/4, so I thought it would fit perfectly. But, it really measures seven and 3/4 by six and 3/8, so it’s a little small for me. The BIG question is this: Do these vintage Borsalino reedless hats take a stretch as well as our Reeded hats? The rear seam on the sweat is merely taped , so I’m a little worried about that. The way it nearly fits my head, if it were an American made hat I know it would take the half size stretch with no problems, but on this one I’m not sure. Can anyone that knows for sure help me out?
I’ll include all pics of the important features so the oversea folks can tell me what all this writing means, ie: Steve, Stefan and Daniel. [emoji1]
There is a code embossment on the front of the sweat, meaning, what? View attachment 203416 View attachment 203415 View attachment 203414 View attachment 203413 View attachment 203412 View attachment 203410 View attachment 203408
Ps: Is there anything about this particular hat that makes it outstanding from other homburg Borsalinos of this era?
In other words, I got this hat cheap and may resell it if someone here tells me it won’t stretch well and if there is nothing remarkable about it.
Don’t get me wrong, I like this hat very much. It’s very appealing, but I already have a Stetson exactly like it from this time period.
Be glad to keep it .... if it’s a keeper![emoji6]


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Great find, Randall. Dates from the 1936-1953 period. Solid advice from Bowen on the stretching part. The Augusta line of hats was likely rabbit felt. I find on Borsalinos it doesn't seem to matter which type of felt it was: they could do miracles with anything. I am thinking though this could be a coffin box homburg. The hats that were sold and sent in those little white boxes included homburgs (which is mindboggling, really) and this could be one of those. The model name is a first: we've never seen a "Nizosca" model before. so for that alone it's unique. Super find.

 

[Steve1857]

Okay, just got this Borsalino homburg today. It’s my first Italian, or foreign hat. Never been near one either, so my only impression comes from this one lid.
From the onion skin tip and sweat blocker I suppose I can assume it’s from the late forties, early fifties, if they used the product over there the same years we were.
The felt is ultra supple, thin and feather light. One question is, were they strictly using hare or rabbit fur during this time period? Probably so, which would explain the felts wispy lightness. It still holds any crease very well. Impressive. As far as the hat’s components go, I’d say it’s no better or worse than any other hat I’ve owned from this era. The crown is relatively short on this hat, 4 1/8 at the front crease.
The seller said the hat measured Eight by six and a 1/4, so I thought it would fit perfectly. But, it really measures seven and 3/4 by six and 3/8, so it’s a little small for me. The BIG question is this: Do these vintage Borsalino reedless hats take a stretch as well as our Reeded hats? The rear seam on the sweat is merely taped , so I’m a little worried about that. The way it nearly fits my head, if it were an American made hat I know it would take the half size stretch with no problems, but on this one I’m not sure. Can anyone that knows for sure help me out?
I’ll include all pics of the important features so the oversea folks can tell me what all this writing means, ie: Steve, Stefan and Daniel. [emoji1]
There is a code embossment on the front of the sweat, meaning, what? View attachment 203416 View attachment 203415 View attachment 203414 View attachment 203413 View attachment 203412 View attachment 203410 View attachment 203408
Ps: Is there anything about this particular hat that makes it outstanding from other homburg Borsalinos of this era?
In other words, I got this hat cheap and may resell it if someone here tells me it won’t stretch well and if there is nothing remarkable about it.
Don’t get me wrong, I like this hat very much. It’s very appealing, but I already have a Stetson exactly like it from this time period.
Be glad to keep it .... if it’s a keeper![emoji6]


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Super Borsalino Lobbia, Randall. Great catch. I understand your hesitation about attempting to stretch this one. Be a shame to spoil it.

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[Randall Renshaw]

Totally understand your hesitation. It is well taken. I would never say stretch it to anyone. I have before with heartbreaking results and very satisfying victories.
But....if i tried this one, first i would support the taped seam by over taping the original tape. Then condition the sweatband until very pliable. That Borsa is good leather. Once satisfied with the above i would spray the lower half of the crown and about half the width of the brim completely around the hat with sterile water. Let it soak in thoroughly. Use a hat stretcher that is 2 or 3” tall, not the thin 1 inchers. I sometimes even back the sweatband with about a 4 inch tall strip of thin cardboard/poster board the entire inner circumference to diminish a prominent breakline outlining the sweatband. A tall stretcher helps here.
Tighten gently and leave it to dry. Re-wet/soak and repeat slowly and gently. Slow wins the race. I’ve spent several days to stretch a hat 1 size or return a shrunken vintage to it’s original size.
Stretch too much and you destroy the flange and sweatband and get the dreaded sweatband stretch profile on the crown taper.
I would not do any of this for more that a slight nudge in size.
These are things i learned the hard way. I hope my cautions help if you decide to nudge this hat. Other’s hopefully can add their experiences but beware.
YMMV
Be well. Bowen

Thank you for the excellent stretch advice, Bowen. I learned a few things, to include the cardboard placed between the felt and sweat.
I’ll start stretching the hat tonight after work using the methods you’ve given. If you hear an agonizing scream all the way to where you live you’ll know something went wrong. Though I feel it will go well. I don’t have to stretch it too far, as it nearly fits now.
And like you said, the leather is good and in good shape.




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[Steve1857]

Thank you for the excellent stretch advice, Bowen. I learned a few things, to include the cardboard placed between the felt and sweat.
I’ll start stretching the hat tonight after work using the methods you’ve given. If you hear an agonizing scream all the way to where you live you’ll know something went wrong. Though I feel it will go well. I don’t have to stretch it too far, as it nearly fits now.
And like you said, the leather is good and in good shape.




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Looking forward to seeing you sport this wonderful Borsa soon, Randall. It's definitely a keeper for any collection.

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[Randall Renshaw]

Great find, Randall. Dates from the 1936-1953 period. Solid advice from Bowen on the stretching part. The Augusta line of hats was likely rabbit felt. I find on Borsalinos it doesn't seem to matter which type of felt it was: they could do miracles with anything. I am thinking though this could be a coffin box homburg. The hats that were sold and sent in those little white boxes included homburgs (which is mindboggling, really) and this could be one of those. The model name is a first: we've never seen a "Nizosca" model before. so for that alone it's unique. Super find.

Thanks for the information, Stefan. 36 to 53? Super to find out that this hat could possibly be my second oldest hat, but that is quite a time span. I suppose Borsalino did things the same way for a long while and there is no other way to date it closer or you’d have told me. Too bad.
What does the word, “Nizosca” mean?
I will look in the FL archives to see what you’re talking about on the white coffin boxes, but why should you be surprised that one could’ve included a homburg? Unless...you’re talking about those tiny,portable metal boxes that held a crushable fedora? Surely you’re not saying that?!! They put a nice hat like this in those, Too?!!!



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[Randall Renshaw]

Super Borsalino Lobbia, Randall. Great catch. I understand your hesitation about attempting to stretch this one. Be a shame to spoil it.

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What does, Lobbia, mean? If it means lightness then it sure is! [emoji4]. It weighs in at a mere 4.3 ounces. I have only one other hat that’s as light, which is a forties Dobbs westward, but those have thin ribbons and edge binding where the Borsa burgs have wide ribbons and bindings, although, the Dobbs has as a full liner. Nevertheless, it’s very impressive. The felt is super smooth and soft, yet with firmness. I’m impressed with the hat. One of my Stetson St Regis is this hat’s twin, but it’s a stout 5.7 ounces. The only difference is the Stetson’s crown being 3/8s taller.


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[Steve1857]

http://hats-history.com/lobbia-hat/

Lobbia is the Italian name for Homburg. The link explains why. It should perhaps be taken with a little grain of salt, but it's a fun story [emoji4]

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[Rmccamey]

Thank you, gents. Yes, this blue homburg is in great shape and gives me a little color diversity too!

Very nice, and the color is over the top. I see you’re keeping your resolution to only add exceptional hats to your collection. I’m hoping that one day a mirtillo homburg comes across my path.


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Nice catch, Randy. Looks in excellent condition.

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Excellent find, Randy, and in a great colour too. These St Regis hats fetch quite a bit of money I've seen. Been looking at a couple of them the past year, but none that came withing my price range. Good catch.

 

[Rmccamey]

That looks like a great Borso! Looks like a keeper to me.

Okay, just got this Borsalino homburg today. It’s my first Italian, or foreign hat. Never been near one either, so my only impression comes from this one lid.
From the onion skin tip and sweat blocker I suppose I can assume it’s from the late forties, early fifties, if they used the product over there the same years we were.
The felt is ultra supple, thin and feather light. One question is, were they strictly using hare or rabbit fur during this time period? Probably so, which would explain the felts wispy lightness. It still holds any crease very well. Impressive. As far as the hat’s components go, I’d say it’s no better or worse than any other hat I’ve owned from this era. The crown is relatively short on this hat, 4 1/8 at the front crease.
The seller said the hat measured Eight by six and a 1/4, so I thought it would fit perfectly. But, it really measures seven and 3/4 by six and 3/8, so it’s a little small for me. The BIG question is this: Do these vintage Borsalino reedless hats take a stretch as well as our Reeded hats? The rear seam on the sweat is merely taped , so I’m a little worried about that. The way it nearly fits my head, if it were an American made hat I know it would take the half size stretch with no problems, but on this one I’m not sure. Can anyone that knows for sure help me out?
I’ll include all pics of the important features so the oversea folks can tell me what all this writing means, ie: Steve, Stefan and Daniel. [emoji1]
There is a code embossment on the front of the sweat, meaning, what? View attachment 203416 View attachment 203415 View attachment 203414 View attachment 203413 View attachment 203412 View attachment 203410 View attachment 203408
Ps: Is there anything about this particular hat that makes it outstanding from other homburg Borsalinos of this era?
In other words, I got this hat cheap and may resell it if someone here tells me it won’t stretch well and if there is nothing remarkable about it.
Don’t get me wrong, I like this hat very much. It’s very appealing, but I already have a Stetson exactly like it from this time period.
Be glad to keep it .... if it’s a keeper![emoji6]


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[TheOldFashioned]

My first Mac Lachlan:

Details and specs in the Maclachlan Hats thread.

 

[Steve1857]

My first Mac Lachlan:
View attachment 203527 View attachment 203528
Details and specs to follow in the Maclachlan Hats thread.

That looks a super MacLachlan, Jonathan. Can you send a link to the thread. I'd like to see more about yours and follow the thread in general.

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[TheOldFashioned]

That looks a super MacLachlan, Jonathan. Can you send a link to the thread. I'd like to see more about yours and follow the thread in general.

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Thanks, Steve. Just updated both threads and added hyperlink. You were too fast for me.

 

[Steve1857]

Thanks, Steve. Just updated both threads and added hyperlink. You were too fast for me.

That's me, Quick Draw McGraw [emoji23]

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[Frunobulax]

That's me, Quick Draw McGraw [emoji23]

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Is your secret identity El Kabong?

 

[steur]

Thanks for the information, Stefan. 36 to 53? Super to find out that this hat could possibly be my second oldest hat, but that is quite a time span. I suppose Borsalino did things the same way for a long while and there is no other way to date it closer or you’d have told me. Too bad.
What does the word, “Nizosca” mean?
I will look in the FL archives to see what you’re talking about on the white coffin boxes, but why should you be surprised that one could’ve included a homburg? Unless...you’re talking about those tiny,portable metal boxes that held a crushable fedora? Surely you’re not saying that?!! They put a nice hat like this in those, Too?!!!



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I am saying that. They did send out homburg hats in those small boxes (cardboard, not metal). Here are the pics from a folder by Cambini. A homburg is listed on the first page after that and the last page shows that all of the hats listed could be shipped in one of those boxes. Most of these were sold post-war up until the early fifties.
The meaning of any of the Borsalino model names is a mystery we haven't solved yet. This label was used in the time period, but I think the Augusta line of hats dates from the post war years, so likely your hat is mid forties to early fifties.

 

[Tomasz Zieniewicz]

Found this handsome fella chilling in one of the local second-hand shops, not my size, but still it's something
Homburg hat is it? (Im a complete greenhorn).

 

[steur]

Found this handsome fella chilling in one of the local second-hand shops, not my size, but still it's something
Homburg hat is it? (Im a complete greenhorn).

Welcome to the lounge, Tomasz. Not exactly a homburg, more like an in between style. Nice catch though, certainly in that dark blue mirtillo colour.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Thank you for the excellent stretch advice, Bowen. I learned a few things, to include the cardboard placed between the felt and sweat.
I’ll start stretching the hat tonight after work using the methods you’ve given. If you hear an agonizing scream all the way to where you live you’ll know something went wrong. Though I feel it will go well. I don’t have to stretch it too far, as it nearly fits now.
And like you said, the leather is good and in good shape.




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Good luck Randall!
I was very hesitant to aid in this endeavor because when a plan doesn’t work i feel bad as if it were my own hat. But people gonna try what they wanna so i thought i’d at least speak of my experiences.
Think it out first and remember, do not be fooled by a perfect looking sweatband and or a perfect looking hat. I’ve been fooled before with both and can never forgive myself for damaging some perfect hats.
So be careful and go SLOW & EASY!
Bowen

 

[Steve1857]

Found this handsome fella chilling in one of the local second-hand shops, not my size, but still it's something
Homburg hat is it? (Im a complete greenhorn).

Nice find, Tomasz. Welcome to the Lounge. Seems to be a short brimmed Fedora. Not a Fedora, a Trilby, nor a Homburg, but a hybrid of all three, or one of it's own. A Vanzina "fuzzy" pre Borsalino take over, too. Great find all round.

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[Frunobulax]

Good luck Randall!
I was very hesitant to aid in this endeavor because when a plan doesn’t work i feel bad as if it were my own hat. But people gonna try what they wanna so i thought i’d at least speak of my experiences.
Think it out first and remember, do not be fooled by a perfect looking sweatband and or a perfect looking hat. I’ve been fooled before with both and can never forgive myself for damaging some perfect hats.
So be careful and go SLOW & EASY!
Bowen

Didn't he also say it was unreeded? If so, that old thread is the weak link.